Centrifugal apparatus for pumping air or gas.



. W. KIESER.

CENTRIFUGALAPPARATUS FOR PUMPING. Am 0R GAS. APPLICATION FILED JULY 23, 1909.

1,056,688. Patented Man 18, 1913.

' IhVenbo Walter- Ki eser;

barrel) STATES PATENT OFFICEQ WALTER KIESER, OF BERLIN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY,

. A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS FOR PUMPING AIR OR GAS.

Specification'of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 18, 1913.

Application filed. July 23, 1909. Serial No. 509,170.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WVALTER Kncsaa, a citizen of Switzerland, residing at Berlin, Germany, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Apparatus for Pumping Air or Gas, of which the following is a specification.

This application relates to centrifugal apparatus for pumpin air or gas in which a body of water c-alle throwing water is causedto form a series of water. pistons that inclose between them the air or gas to beopcrated upon. i

The object of the invention'is to improve the construction andoperat-ion of the apparatus so that its output of water pistons and air can be delivered to a eater height than has heretofore been possi lei On starting a pump of the type described, there is a column of water standing at rest in the discharge pipe of the pump against which the water pistons strike and are destroyed, thus rendering them ineffective to raise the output of the pump to any useful height. The present invention overcomes this difficulty by relieving the outlet or discharge opening of the pump of the opposing pressure of the column or medium during the starting period as distinguished from normal operation so that the pump during said period operates against a very counter-pressure, which pressure then automatically and gradually increases until the desired height of discharge is attained.

This mode of operation avoids the destruc-- tion of the water pistons. The initial relief of the counter-pressure may be obtained, for example, by emptying the discharge'pipe leading from the pump to the receiving tank or other receptacle during said starting period, a non-return valve being employed to prevent the mass of water already raised from flowing back in case the outlet of the discharge pipe is not located above the'highest *ater level. If the pump is the dry air pump of a condenser system, the relief of the counter-pressure or the emptying of the discharge pipe may be readily and conveniently accomplished by small.

suitable connect-ions to the condensation using the apparatus of my invention, the

throwing water tank can be located above the pumps and the pumps installed in the lowest possible region of the ship. The water removed from the discharge pipe of the air pump by the condensation pump before said air pump begins to operate normally is returned to the throwing water tank and the level of the water in said tank is maintained at a substantially uniform height.

In the drawing which represents by way of example some of the embodiments of my invention, Figure l is a side view partly in section of the pump throwing water tank and their connections; Fig. 2 is a view of a modification of a portion of the system: Fig. 3 is a View of another modification of the same portion of the system; and Fig. i is a side view of a surface condenser forming part of the system.

The Cu.itl6IlSI 5 may be of any suitable type of construction. It has an inlet 6 for the exhaust steam froman engine'or turbine and an inlet 7 and outlet. 8 for the circnlation of the condensing water. The water of condensation collects in the well 9, and a connection 10 is provided for removing the non-condensable gases from the interior of the condenser. The connection or conduit 10 leads to a centrifugal air pump The rotor ofby the level of the water in the cistern but which can be manually operated when desired by means of the handle through the levers 21 and connecting members.

The discharge from the throwing air pump 11 passes through the conduit 22 to-a closed tankor reservoir-23, Fig; 1, and from said tank through the conduit 24a to the tank 15. The air on reaching thetank 15 is permitted to escape. A non'greturn or check-valve 25 prevents the contents of"the tank-15 from flowing back through the pipe. The bottom'of the tank 23 is connected 24:. with a three way cook- 26 in the supply conduit 14 of the pump 13. The connection between thetank 23 and the pipe 1 1 can be "regulated by a float-controlled valve 32,

Fig. 3, if desired, this arrangement rendering the action of the apparatus more automatic. A branch conduit 27 leads from the discharge conduit 28' of the condensa tion pump 13' to the tank. 15. through the conduit 27 is regulated by a valve 29 controlledby' the float 30, through the medium of the bell crank 31.

I neoted directly ,to the pipe 24 and valve 26.

the valv ,The method of operation of the a parat'us" is as follows' z lt may be assumed t at prior to starting up the pipes 17 24 and 27, as well asthe pumps 11 and 13, are fulloffwater, the

three-way cock 26' being turned 90 in a counter-clockwise direction from the posi;

tion shown in Fig. lso as to permit come. munication between the tank 23 and the pump-13, (communication bet ween the condensei1'5 ai i d'ithe pump 13b'eing interr'tiptedl v I .is closed and the valves 25 and 29 are c'losed by the body of water in tank 15-. he float valve 19, on the other hand, wli-idl isa1*ranged in cistern 16, may, by reason bf the high water level in the cistern, keep the inlet to pipe 17 open. VVith this, condition of things at starting, the

height of water, in the pipes 10, 14: and 28 will,-of,cou1'se, correspond to the pressure of the water columns in the pipes 24 and 27 On beginning torotate. the throwing pump- 11 and the condensation pump 13 under conditions outlined in the preceding paragraph, thewater present in the pipes 17 and 10 as well as; that in, the pump 11, is forced into the tank 23 from which it is drawn by the pump 13. Y In case the pump 13 is adapted to messes draw of? more of the water than, or just as much as, the pump 11 delivers, the tank 23 as well as the pipes 24 and 14 will, in a short time, be emptied of water so that in the pipe 24:, tank 23, pump 11, pipe 27 and pipe 14, a pressure will prevail that corresponds closely to the momentary condenser pressure. The water delivered by the condensation pump 13 passes through the pipe 28 since flow through the pipe 27 is prevented by the valve 29. This valve is wei hted in such a manner that it rises and fails only when a change occurs in the level of the throwing water in the tank, but-cannot lie-moved by the pressure difference existing in the pipes 10 and 27. If, on the other hand, the pump 13 discharges less than is delivered to it by the pump 11, the excess delivery is forced through the pipe 24 into the tank 15, so long as water is resent in the ipes 17 and 10 as well as in th moved, the pump 18 can 'draw the water ifromthe pipes 14 and 24 and the tank 23, as above described. When the character of the e pump 11. i this water is redischarge from the pipe '28 indicates thata pondition has been reached such that the pump 11 no longer ha'stb' overcome a counterpressnre, the valve 18 is opened and. the valve or cook 26 turned to. shut ofi communication between tank 23 and the pipe 14 so that by the aid of the water flowing from tank 15 through the ipe 17 the uncondensed gases drawn througii 5' In the arrangements shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the discharged air in the tank 23 rises to the top thereof and presses 0n the water so that in the arrangement of Fig. 3, the valve 32 is closed. The throwing water with its entrained air is forced gradually upward through the pipe 24' by the air pressure in tlietank 23, Figs. 1 and 3, or in the arrangement of Fig. 2, said water together with the air is forced by the pump gradually higher and higher in the pipe 24 so that in either case the pump 11 has to overcome only a gradually rising pressure. This counterprcssure is caused, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, by an elastic medium, namely the separated air that by reason of its elasticity and gradually rising pressure, prevents the .tlowingv together of the consecutive water pistons inclosing between' them the air to be removed from the condenser.

In-the'arrangcment of Fig. 2, there is no contact between the water pistons and air and a stationary opposing wall of \'vater,but on the contrary the water column causing the counler-pressure has the same direction and rate of movement as the water pistons and the air. This also results in u very the pipe 10 from the: condenser 5, are discharged together with the throwing water, through thepipe 22 into .Fig. 2 shows a modification in which the tank .23 is omitted, the pipe 22 being filin- 10,0 the tank 23 from which latter the said gases 1 gradual increase in counter-pressure corresponding to the delivery ofthe pump 11. The throwing water delivered through the pipe 24 replaces the water constantly flowing out of the tank.15 to the pump 11 so, that the valve 19 cannot close the entrance to the pipe 17 The quantity of water fiowing outof the tank at the start, valve 18 being open, lowers the level in said tank so that the valve 29 is opened and the contents of the tank are replenished through the branch pipe 27. When normal operating conditions are thus established, the pumpill works against the desired counteflpressure. If the throwing air pump orthe condensation.

; pump suddenly stops for'any cause, the water still flows from the cistern '16 into the pipe 17 and the pump 11, until the float valve 19 shuts off the entrance to the pipe 17 On starting up the pumps in the manner. above described, the valve 19 instead of the valve 18, must then be opened and kept opened.

This is done by means of the handle 20 until the cistern 16 has been filled to the level of the water in the tank 15. This fact willbe pumps.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together ing liquid; a connection for supplying gaseous fluid to the pump to be acted upon by said liquid, a second pump, and meanscooperating with the second pump for relieving the counter-pressure on the discharge side of the throwing pump when starting said'pump into operation.

2. In combination, a throwing pump. a

.reservoir for the throwing liquid which is located above the pump, a conduit between the reservoir and the inlet side of the pump, a conduit for supplying gaseous tiuidtothe pump to be acted upon by said liquid, a con-=.

nection between the discharge side of the pump and the reservoir, and means including a pump for relieving the counter-pressure in said connection before starting the throwing pump into normal operation.

Incombination, a throwing pump, a reservoir for throwing liquid which is arranged above the pump, a conduit between the reservoir and inlet side of the pump, a conduit for supplying gaseous fluid to the pump to be acted upon by said liquid, aconnection between the discharge side of the pump andsaid reservoir, apump for reducing the counter-pressure in said connection before starting the throwing pump into nor mal operation, and a valve for controlling communication between the pump and said connection.

4. In combination, ,a throwing pump, a shaft on which the rotor of the pump is mounted, a motor for driving the. shaft, a

reservoir for the throwing water that is arranged above the pump, a conduit between the reservoir and the inlet side of the pump,

a conduit for supplying gaseous fluid to the pump to be acted upon by said liquid, a connection between the discharge side of the pump and the reservoir, and means for relieving the counter-pressure in said connection before starting the throwing pump into normal operation, said means including a rotary pump having its rotor mounted on said shaft adjacent the throwing pump.

' In combination, a throwing pump, a reservoir for the throwing water which is arranged above the pump, a conduit between the reservoir and the inlet side of the pump, a valve for regulating the flow through said conduit, a conduit for supplying gaseous fluid to the pump to be acted upon by said liquid, a connection between the discharge side of the pump and the reservoir, a pump for reducing the counter-pressure in said connection before starting th throwing pump into normal operation, a .valve for cont-rolling communication between the inlet side of the pump and said connection, a conduit leading from the discharge side of the pump, a branch conduit extending be tween the last mentioned conduit and the reservoir, and means controlled. by the height of the water in the reservoir for regulating the flow through the branch conduit. into said reservoir.

6. In combinatioma throwing pump, a shaft. on which the rotor of the pump is mounted, a motor for driving the shaft, a reservoir for thethrowing water which is arranged above the pump, a conduit. between the reservoir and the inlet side of the pump. a valve for regulating the flow through said conduit, a conduit for supplying gaseous fluid to the pump to be acted upon by said liquid, :1 connection between the discharge sideof the pump and the reservoir, a rotary pump for reducing the counter-pressure in said connection before starting the throwing pump into normal operation, the rotor of said ,pump being mounted on said shaft adjacent the throwing pump, a valve for controlling communication between the inletside of the pump and said connection, a conduit leading from the discharge side of into said reservoir.

Y 'the reservoir, a pump for relieving the 'counter-pressure on the discharge side of throwing pinnp'into normal operation, and

ternand the inlet side of the pump, a valve said connection.

the pump, a branch conduit extending between the last mentioned conduit and the reservoir, and a valve controlled by the height of the water in the reservoir for regulating the flow through the branch conduit 7. In combination, a throwing pum a reservoir for the throwing water whic is arranged above the pump, a" cistern located within the reservoir, a conduit between the cistern and'the inlet side of the pump, a valve in said conduit, a float valve arranged in the cistern that controls the flow be-- tween it and the inlet end of said conduit, 9. cc-n'duit for supplying gaseous fluid to the throwing pump to he acted upon by said water, a connection: between the discharge side of the throwing pump and thoreser; voir, a pump for rel evingthe counter-pres sure in said connection before starting the a valve for controlling communicai ion between thepump and sald connection.

8. Incombination a throwing pump, a reservoir for the throwing water-which'is arranged above the'pump, an open cistern located within the reservoir with its top at substantially the normal level of the water in the reservoir, a conduit between the cisin said conduit, a valve that regulates the new between the cistern and the inlet end of the" conduit, a float in the cistern that normall. controls the action of said valve, means-tibimanually controlling the valve under cert-ainconditiOnS, a conduit for supplyinggaseo-us fluid to the throwing pump to be acted u on by said water, a connection between t iedischarge side of the throwing pump and the reservoir, a pumpfor reducingthe counter-pressure in said connectio'n before starting the throwing pump into normal operation, and a valve for control ling ommunication between the pump and 9. In combination, a throwing pump, a reservoir for the throwing water supply which is arranged above the pump, a conduit between the reservoir and the inlet side of the pump, a conduit for supplying 'gaseous fluid to the pump to be acted upon by said water, a closed tank, a conduit leading from the discharge side of the pump to the upper portion of the tank, a conduit leading from the lower portion of the tank to the throwing pump before starting the throwing pump into normal operation, a conduit extendlng between the lower portion of the tank and the inio of the pump, and a valve for controlling the flow from the tank to said conduit.

10. .In combination, a throwing prmp, a

reservoir for the throwing Water supply which is arranged above the pump, a valve controlled conduit extending between the reservoir 'and the inlet side of the pump, a conduit for supplying gaseous fluid to the pump to be acted upon by said water, a closed tank adjacent the pump, a conduit leading from the discharge side of the pump into the upper portion of the tank, a conduit leading upward from the lower portion of the tank to the bottom of the reservoir, a check-valve to prevent water from flow ing from the reservoir into said conduit, a pump for relieving the counter-pressure on the discharge side of the throwing pump before starting said throwing pump into normal operation, a suction conduit for the pum and a connection between the lower ortion of the tank and the suction conduit including a three-way valve which controls the flow through said suction conduit and from the tank'through said conduit to the pump.

11. In a condenser system, the combination of a surface condenser, a throwing pump, a shaft on which the rotor of the pump is mounted, a motor for driving the shaft, a conduit extending between the condenser and the inlet of the pump for removing the uncondensed gases from said condenser, a throwing water reservoir'arranged .reservoir, and a alve for controlling communication between said inlet conduit [and said connection so that the condensation pump may be [DP-ti to reduce the counterpressure in said connection before starting the throwing pump into normal operation. 12. In combination, a] vessel to. be exhausted, a throwing pump, a reservoir and conduit for an plylng liquid to the pump, a connection or conveying gas from the vessel to the throwing nimp, a conduit for conveying the fluid discharged by the pump to the -reservoir,a second pump, a conduit connecting the discharge side of the throwing pump with the suction side of the second pump, and valve means in the conduit for controlling the passage of fluid. from one pump to t e other.

13. In combination, a surface ,condenserl a throwing pump, a reservoir and conduit for supplying liquid to the pump, a connection for conveying uneoinlcnsed gases from the condenser to the suction side of the pump, a conduit conveying throwing liquid and gases to the reservoir, :1 second pump l o it which normally receives condensation water In witness whereof, I have hereunto set from the condenser, .a conduit connecting my hand this 7th day of July 1909.'

the discharge side of'the throwing pump valve means for disconnecting the condenser with the suction side of the second pump, WALTER KIESER and second pump and connecting said Witnesses pumps for the purpose of starting, and OSKAR DAHLKE,

means for driving the pumps. ERIGH PASKE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents,

Washington; D. 0. 

